spoke in fear vs spoke with fear

Both "spoke in fear" and "spoke with fear" are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Spoke in fear" implies that fear was the emotion driving the speech, while "spoke with fear" suggests that fear was present during the speech but may not have been the main emotion.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 959 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"spoke in fear"

This phrase is used to indicate that fear was the primary emotion behind the speech or conversation.

Examples:

She spoke in fear, her voice trembling as she recounted the terrifying experience.
He spoke in fear, unable to hide the panic in his voice.

Show examples from the web [+]

In conclusion, you spoke about public fears of globalisation.
And how does he... who spoke up without fear against every evil... feel about your silence?
He just swallowed his phone in fear.
Seven kingdoms united in fear of Tywin Lannister.
Opposition politicians go in fear of their lives.
And so they spoke in a strictly impersonal way.
When we spoke in January, you said he was the linchpin of a nationwide criminal conspiracy.
And they spoke in this strange tongue.
Last night, I spoke in private with our ninja leader overseas.
He came to understand that Pablo spoke in code.
What Adam spoke in Paradise before the serpent made his memorable appearance.
The late visitor spoke in a low voice.
I spoke in Himmler, on the telephone.
We spoke in Yiddish and Polish.
I spoke in Latin for a full 20 minutes.
You saw how he spoke in the field.
You gave me your word we spoke in confidence.
Yes, but I didn't know that they only spoke in paragraphs.
For some reason he always spoke in German.
Saya and I barely spoke in the last two hours.

Alternatives:

spoke with trepidation
spoke with anxiety
spoke with apprehension
spoke with nervousness
spoke with unease

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"spoke with fear"

This phrase is used to indicate that fear was present during the speech or conversation, but it may not have been the primary emotion.

Examples:

She spoke with fear in her voice, but her words were filled with determination.
He spoke with fear, trying to mask his anxiety.

Show examples from the web [+]

In conclusion, you spoke about public fears of globalisation.
And how does he... who spoke up without fear against every evil... feel about your silence?
On the day that we spoke to you, you were out of your head with fear.
During these six months, together with Prime Minister Reinfeldt, we spoke with Obama; we spoke with Hu and Wen; we spoke with Singh; we spoke with Medvedev; we spoke with Lola.
Just spoke with your patient Fran.
I spoke with their moms last week.
I just spoke with Department Governor Perez.
You spoke with real authority when we met.
Just spoke with Ellis's mother.
Chief Murdoch spoke with the archdiocese.
Spoke with Kale's company commander.
So I just spoke with your doctors.
Corporal Leblanc spoke with his barracks mate.
I spoke with the GM personnel department.
- I just spoke with headquarters.
I also spoke with Commissioner Malmström several times.
I never understood how people lived with fear.
I just spoke with Dr. Oren.
Yes, I spoke with Irina's husband.
See I spoke with Veneziano when I got this detail.

Alternatives:

spoke with apprehension
spoke with nervousness
spoke with unease
spoke with a sense of dread
spoke with trepidation

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spoke in fear vs spoke with fear

"spoke in fear"

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